"Cuando y si vuelves... "

Question

Trato de traducir "when and if you come back..."

Gracias,

Tim

Answer 1

A general rule is that si is never followed by the present subjunctive, this is of course a rule that gets broken from time to time but it's a good place to start when you're learning.

So ...

si vuelves (if you return)

or

si volviera (if you were to return)

Both are possible but I would say that the second shows that you doubt the person will return but in the first you view it as a distinct possibility.

This article might help to clarify things for you.

Answer 2

Cuando vuelvas (en caso de que vuelvas)

Cuando vuelvas (si es que vuelves)

Cuando vuelvas (si vuelves)

Sounds more natural to me.. - annierats, Nov 29, 2012

Answer 3

I would go with Franco on this one, or, I think another possibility is:

por si vuelves.

Comments appreciated.